The Paramount Ruler of the Kingdom, HRM Michael Mbanefo Ugbolu, gave the assurance when he received the delegation of the European Investment Bank – assisted Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP-EIB), led by the State Project Coordinator, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, to the Palace of the Ogoani, in Okpanam, the State Capital Territory. The monarch in company of the Member representing Oshimili North Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Frank Esenwah and other members of the Ugoani-In-Council, said his community was happy for the approval of the Amachai/Ogbozoma and Vanguard Area Erosion Sites for civil works intervention by the donor interventionist agency; “the Delta State Government and the European Investment Bank”.
He noted that the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has justified the confidence reposed on it by the people of Okpanam community during his electioneering campaign where he promised to deploy the MORE agenda of the present administration to add value to the socio-economic and infrastructural development of Okpanam Kingdom.
The Ugoani said it was a good news to the entire community that the NEWMAP Team has come to introduce the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Consultant to the community to start preliminary enumeration in preparation to the commencement of civil works in the two approved erosion sites. He maintained that the commencement of works on the approved gully projects will no doubt bring relief to the residents and indigenes living in the community, saying that the construction of proper storm water drainages and channelization will solve the problem of erosion menace within the Project’s scope.
The traditional ruler assured the donor agency that Okpanam is a peaceful community and had conscripted the youth body to assist the consultants and would-be contractors to ensure they work in the community without hindrance, and added that proper security architecture is in place to protect the personnel and equipment of contractors.
The State Project Coordinator of NEWMAP-EIB, Mr. Benedict Nwaokocha, allayed the fears of the people by informing them that the donor agency is gradually moving to the commencement of civil works in the two approved erosion sites, with assurance that the roads and drains to be constructed have the capacity and strength to carry the erosion to the discharge point.
Mr. Nwaokocha, while addressing the comments and observations of stakeholders during the meeting, reiterated the quality assurance mantra of the NEWMAP project, having maintained best practices in terms of erosion control and other environmental related challenges in some communities within the state and other parts of the country, assuring that the donor agency would replicate same in Okpanam community, in pursuit of the assurance of the MORE agenda of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration in the State.
The Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) Principal Consultant, Dr. Odili Ojukwu, highlighted the objectives of RAP as a safeguard instrument which borders on the steps being taken to make sure the community is not negatively affected in the course of the completion of the project.